Robert fagles genesis begins with the making of heaven and earth and all life, and ends with the image of a mummyjosephsin a coffin. Alter s previous works include the biblical translations genesis and the five books. The literary guide to the bible robert alter and frank kermode. Alter s translation honors the meanings and literary strategies of the ancient hebrew and conveys them in fluent english prose.
Baker t here are bibles aplenty in our world, hundreds if is any guide. Jun 11, 2019 as for the shaky sense of english eschewed by alter, consider the beginning of the book of genesis and gods dire warning to humanity not to eat of the tree of knowledge gen. Browsing a bookstall one day that sweltering summer in toronto, i came across a slender paperback by robert alter entitled the art of biblical narrative. Robert alter on why modern bible translations should stay in. Sep 17, 2007 robert alter tells robert siegel that those are concepts superimposed on the ancient poems in more recent times. Cart hello select your address best sellers todays deals new releases electronics books customer service gift ideas home computers gift cards sell. Genesis by robert alter, 9780393316704, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Robert alters hebrew bible translation is at once accurate. He provides hundreds of pages of notes on his translation and cultural references.
Genesis translation and commentary by robert alter iroabuchi. When i first learned that robert alter had completed the task of singlehandedly translating the entire bible, a project he commenced around. Let me hasten to say that if we murder to dissect, we also. In the mid1990s, he began to translate it, beginning with genesis, then moving forward to the story of king david in the two books of samuel and the beginning of kings, before turning back to translate the other four books of moses. And in his version of genesis 39, the reader is able to see the connection between and among all nine occurrences of hands, regardless of the context. The distinguished literary critic and a close reader of ancient hebrew brings out subtle nuances frequently overlooked, and muses on the art of translation. The result is the genesis for our generation and beyond robert fagles. Robert alter on why modern bible translations should stay. And robert alter is my favorite university instructor of theology. Alter s rare combination of fluent translation and insightful commentary makes this the perfect edition of genesis for anyone drawn to this formative work in our culture. In chapter 18 of the book of genesis, god asks abraham, is anything beyond the lord. His insightful, fully informed commentary illumipublisher. Robert alter translates the book of genesis without religious commentary, asserting that any interpretation by a translator is a heresy. Genesis, book ofcommentaries, commentaries old testament.
Genesis translation and commentary robert alter icia. Alter has since published other works on the literary artistry of the hebrew bible, including the monographs the art of biblical poetry 1985. The five books of moses a translation with commentary book description. Translation and commentary reprint by alter, robert isbn.
Genesis by robert alter meet your next favorite book. In robert alters brilliant translation, these stories cohere in a powerful narrative of the tortuous relations between fathers. Translation and commentary by robert alter about the book robert alter sets a new standard in the translation of this formative book of the hebrew bible. Robert alter sets a new standard in the translation of this formative book of the hebrew bible. Sep 17, 2019 in 1996, alter published a translation of the book of genesis, with commentary. Online seminar april 20 book of genesis evening group. Although alters translations lack the sparkle and elegance of everett foxs translations of genesis in the five books of moses schocken 1995, his commentaries on the literary qualities of genesis and his casting of the hebrew bibles opening book as a single narrative woven together by the threads of character and theme ensure that alters work will take its place in the distinguished ranks of commentaries. Its quite common for half of any given page to be filled with footnotes. Mar 04, 2009 the commentary on genesis by robert alter titled genesis translation and commentary is one my favorite books on old testament. Modern scholarship has often drawn attention to the apparent contradictions betwen two different accounts of creation, the first concluding in the middle of verse 4 of chapter 2, the second beginning from that point and running to the end of chapter 3.
This stands out for its technical accuracy and poetic sensibilities,publishers weekly. Genesis begins with the making of heaven and earth and all life, and ends w. Pdf the five books of moses a translation with commentary. Crumbs book of genesis which uses robert alter s translation. Genesis translation and commentary robert alter free ebooks in. It recovers a genesis with the continuity of theme and motif of a wholly conceived and fully realized book. The representation of reality in western literature. Dec 22, 2018 robert alter s commentary is extensive throughout the translation. Cart hello select your address best sellers todays. The book of genesis, translation by robert alter, illustrated by r. Alter s translation is enhanced by his insightful, fully informed commentary, which illuminates the book in its many dimensions. His insightful, fully informed commentary illuminates the book in all its dimensions. Michael dirda, washington post book world through a distinguished career of critical scholarship and translation, robert alter has equipped us to read the hebrew bible as a powerful, cohesive work of literature. This translation by robert alter was recommended by professor rendsburg in his course the book of genesis in the great courses series.
His insightful, fully informed commentary illuminates the. A translation with commentary of 1 and 2 samuel, w. The five books of moses a translation with commentary. Get your order fast and stress free with free curbside pickup. Translation and commentary by robert alter 1996, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. Genesisrobert alter 1997 a new translation of the first book of the bible honors meanings and literary strategies of the ancient hebrew language. His commentary deepens the readers understanding of genesis as a cohesive book without being intrusive. A modern classicthrilling and constantly illuminating. The commentary is cultural and literary rather than religious, just fyi, but that simply enhances it for the reader who already has a religious grounding. This seminar will use the translation of genesis by robert alter. Translation and commentary 0393039811 by alter, robert. Robert alter putting together biblical narrative suggests that someone has taken it apart, and that has indeed been the principal occupation of formidable intellectual energies in the academic study of the bible for over a century and a half.
Nov 27, 2018 in the mid1970s, scholar and critic robert alter began writing about the literary techniques of the bible. Robert alters translation of genesis is one of several to appear recentlyalong with versions by everett fox 1995 and stephen mitchell 1996that has attempted to restore accuracy and power to. As a man who principally looks at genesis through literary eyes, one might think his commentary would be reduced to cold faithlessness. His translation work culminated in 2018 with the publication of his threevolume, magnum opus. Translation and commentary by robert alter english paperback book fre genesis. A masterpiece of deep learning and fine sensibility, robert alters translation of the hebrew bible, now complete, reanimates one of the formative works of our.
With a translation that attends to the usages, rhythms, and narrative patterns of biblical hebrew and a commentary which deepens readers understanding of genesis without being. Jan 14, 1998 in robert alter s brilliant translation, these stories cohere in a powerful narrative of the tortuous relations between fathers and sons, husbands and wives, eldest and younger brothers, god and his chosen people, the people of israel and their neighbors. Apr 27, 2020 biography robert alter earned his bachelors degree in english columbia university, 1957, and his masters degree 1958 and doctorate 1962 from harvard university in comparative literature. It recovers a genesis with the continuity of theme and motif of a. He started his career as a writer at commentary magazine, where he was for many years a contributing editor. Genesis translation and commentary book description. Robert alters translation of the book of geneis, norton 1998. Translation and commentary 9780393316704 by robert alter. The result is a genesis with the continuity of theme and motif of a wholly conceived and fully realized book. Im a fan of robert alter and just finished reading genesis covertocover. Norton first edition, 1996, isbn 0393061027 the wisdom books. This is a good way to read some of the most influential writing in the history of writing without feeling like somebody is trying to convert you to any religion. Although alter s translations lack the sparkle and elegance of everett foxs translations of genesis in the five books of moses schocken 1995, his commentaries on the literary qualities of genesis and his casting of the hebrew bibles opening book as a single narrative woven together by the threads of character and theme ensure that alter s work will take its place in the distinguished ranks of commentaries. Robert alter no translation and commentary i have read has so vividly brought alive this scripture.
Alters translation recovers the meanings, literary strategies, and eloquence of the ancient hebrew and. I had vaguely heard of alter s work, and had a faint sense of having heard of the book, though i had never read it it was first published in 1981, with a second edition appearing in 2011. Translation and commentary ebook written by robert alter. But alter is deeply linked to the faith of the authors and what they were trying to tell. Alter s translation is thoughtful, readable, and faithful to the spirit and dignity of the great book of genesis. Robert alter s translation of genesis is one of several to appear recentlyalong with versions by everett fox 1995 and. In late 2009, amazon listed over one thousand books on its bible hit list that have not even been released yet. Alter s translation attends to the usages, rhythms, and narrative patterns of biblical hebrew and renders them with clarity and literary appeal. Genesis begins with the making of heaven and earth and all life, and ends with the image of a mummy.
Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read genesis. Alter s is a modern translation of the hebrew and the commentary on the text comes in the form of footnotes on each page. Translation and commentary kindle edition by alter. It is a book that sets out to deal with circumstances concerning the early patriarchs of the israel beginning with the creation story and the call of a certain man called abraham in bible. Chapters 1 11 cover the creation through the dawn of primordial humans. Alters translation honors the meanings and literary strategies of the ancient hebrew and conveys them in fluent english prose. He has also published, in separate volumes, annotated translations of various books of the hebrew bible. His insightful, fully informed commentary illuminates the book. Translation and commentary massachusetts bible society. This translation of the first five books of the old testament the torah by jewish scholar robert alter is excellenti never thought id enjoy reading some parts of leviticus, exodus, or deuteronomy again, but alter s translation is thoughtful and the footnotes are the best part of the book insightful and chock full of enlightening commentary. It was very delightful to see the repeated themes and echoed story lines pointed out throughout the book. Alters introduction and the commentary are great training in learning how to mull over stories and what the manner of telling it teaches you. Lucid nondogmatic a literary look at the first five books of the old testament i came to this after reading r. Alters translation is thoughtful, readable, and faithful to the spirit and dignity of the great book of genesis.
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